We have the great pleasure of inviting you to submit research paper(s) on the above topic for publication in a Special Issue hosted by Maritime Policy and Management (MPM) (www.tandf.co.uk/journals/titles/03088839.asp) in 2011. Maritime transport is closely interconnected with the development of intra-regional and global trade flows. In this respect, maritime transport is not only a tool to bridge space, but also an indirect driver of economic development processes with possibilities to consolidate, induce and interpose. Hence, this special issue is based on the understanding that geography/spatial theories and concepts offer important contributions to maritime research and development, and that experiences from the maritime sector can play a significant role in progressing the current and future discussions and debates in contemporary issues within the discipline of geography.

Any topics on development in the maritime sector are warmly welcome, but authors must ensure that the contents of the manuscripts reflect significant inputs from and contribution to the geography literature - especially how geography/spatial theories and concepts can be applied in maritime research, or how maritime cases and experiences contribute to the progress of current discussions within geography. Without wishing to limit the focus of submissions, we are particularly eager to receive unique and fresh research analysing one or more of (but not restricted to) the following areas:
 
- Space as a perspective (geographical lens) in maritime research
- Critical review on maritime research within contemporary transport and economic geography disciplines
- Network theory and embeddedness perspective: the evolution of shipping networks
- Critical realism and evolutionary perspectives on geographical pattern and morphology of maritime transport/logistics hubs (like ports), and their spatial characteristics
- Contextual economic relations: the processes, management and governance of maritime transport/logistics hubs (including port development and urban land use)
- Vertical integration of maritime logistics and its geographical implications
- Maritime management, environment and sustainable development
 
This call-for-papers is directly linked to discussion workshops in maritime geography to be organised during the annual conference of the Association of American Geographers (AAG) 2011, to be held in Seattle, US, 12-16 April 2011 (http://www.aag.org/). The aim of the discussion workshops is to share knowledge and information that will help to promote the use of geography/spatial theories and concepts for maritime research and development. Although attendance at the Discussion Workshops is not compulsory for submission to this Special Issue, it does provide a unique opportunity for academics to come together and discuss the present issues, recent trends, debates and developments, and future challenges to be faced.
 
We cordially invite you to send your initial ideas to us in the coming weeks, and we will then exchange ideas with prospective authors with a view to submit a 200-word abstract on or before 31st July 2010. A formal notification of abstract acceptance will be given no later than 31st August 2010. The deadline for the draft manuscripts is 30th November 2010 for double-blinded peer-review. If accepted, together with the review reports, they will be returned to authors for revisions no later than 28th February 2011. The deadline for the submission of final manuscripts is 31st May 2011, and the Special Issue is scheduled to be published in August 2011.

Please send all the necessary documents, including abstract and manuscripts, to mpmgeog@gmail.com This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Alternatively, you can also send your enquiries to our personal e-mail addresses, as indicated below.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Gordon Wilmsmeier 
Transport Research Institute
Edinburgh Napier University
Edinburgh, UK
E-mail: G.Wilmsmeier@napier.ac.uk This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Adolf K.Y. Ng
Department of Logistics & Maritime Studies
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Hong Kong, China        
E-mail: lgtan@polyu.edu.hk This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it     
 

Key dates

• 31st July 2010    Deadline for abstract submissions
• 31st August 2010  Notification of abstract acceptance
• 30th November 2010   Deadline for submission of draft papers for peer-review
• 28th February 2011  Review reports returned to author(s) for revisions
• 12th - 16th April 2011  Discussion workshops in maritime geography during AAG 2011
• 31st May 2011   Submission of final papers
• August 2011   Publication of the special issue